Map of France showing where the Chesner arms are recorded
The Chesner arms were recorded in Paris, c. 1663.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Chesner arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Chesner Family in France
The family name Chesner originates from the French word *chesne*, which translates to oak tree. During the seventeenth century, names were often derived from a person’s surroundings or their specific trade, suggesting that the earliest ancestors likely lived near a prominent oak forest or a landmark defined by these trees. By 1663, records confirm that members of the family were established in Paris, a time when the city was undergoing significant architectural and social expansion under the reign of King Louis XIV. Living in the capital during this era meant the family was part of a vibrant urban center that served as the heart of French culture and administration. As the family grew, the name evolved through various spellings, reflecting the way local officials recorded names based on how they sounded during that period. This connection to the landscape and the bustling life of seventeenth-century Paris provides a clear window into the roots of the family identity.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Chesne
Old French term for an oak tree.
This name
ChesnerA topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent oak tree or forest.
also spelled
Chesnart
Chesnar
Shenar
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Archives Nationales, Minutier central des notaires de Paris, Series Y
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
leafHappiness and abundance
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
leafHappiness and abundance
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
